England and Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze ruled out of Champions League meeting with Chelsea after undergoing knee operation; Barca head coach Jonatan Giraldez: "She has a strain, an ailment. It's a tiny intervention, just a couple of weeks"
Wednesday 26 April 2023 14:43, UK
England defender Lucy Bronze will miss 'a couple of weeks' after undergoing knee surgery and has been ruled out of Barcelona's Champions League semi-final return leg on Thursday.
The full-back went down clutching her knee in the 65th minute of Barca's first leg meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, receiving medical attention on the pitch.
Concerns were heightened when, as she went to walk off, her knee gave way.
Barcelona, who won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a Caroline Graham Hansen goal, only need to avoid defeat at the Nou Camp to reach the final for a second consecutive year.
Barca head coach Jonatan Giraldez commented on Bronze's situation at a press conference on Wednesday morning: "She has lots of experience, the feelings are good with her knee. She has a strain, an ailment. It's a tiny intervention, just a couple of weeks.
"Lucy has been important for us. We have plenty of players here and I know we have players that can step in."
Injury worries continue to deepen for England manager Sarina Wiegman with less than three months to go until the start of the World Cup, with Beth Mead and Leah Williamson already ruled out of this summer's tournament, and Millie Bright currently on the sidelines nursing a knee problem.
Bronze tweeted on Wednesday: "Successful knee surgery! In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. Thankful for all the kind messages, I couldn't ask for better support. Currently working hard towards a speedy recovery to get back on the pitch with my team."
Barcelona have confirmed midfielder Alexia Putellas has been medically cleared to return to first-team football.
The Ballon D'Or winner has been named in the extended squad to face Chelsea after coming through Wednesday's training session at the Nou Camp.
Putellas has not played since last June after rupturing her ACL as Spain prepared for Euro 2022.
